St. Maarten, an island split between The Netherlands and France, is a popular cruise port on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. At 37 square miles, it is the smallest island in the world that is divided between two nations. The division dates back to March 23, 1648 with the Treaty of Concordia.
When you arrive, your ship will dock is Philipsburg, which is located on the Dutch side. While the island is known for its beautiful beaches, you will find a variety of other activities that appeal to all interests, from snorkeling to duty-free shopping on Front Street, bicycling, ATV and jeep tours, delicious food tours, zip lining, and airplane spotting at Maho Beach!
Here are some of the best things to do while docked in St. Maarten!
Read more: Best Caribbean shore excursions
Beaches
There are over thirty different beaches on the island of St. Maarten, so there is surely a beach that fits your family's desires, whether that's low-key beach or something a little bit busier with more to do.
Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its proximity to St. Maarten's international airport; the runway is located only 100 yards from the ocean! Aviation enthusiasts will love it, as planes will fly right over your head as they prepare to land.
While cruise lines will offer transportation to Maho Beach, I recommend taking a local taxi. Cruise line transfers are often overpriced and limit your time on the beach. By taking a taxi, you can stay as long as you'd like, so long as you make sure that you return to the ship on time! The beach is located about thirty minutes from the cruise terminal, and the afternoon is subject to traffic jams. You can expect the cost to be around $20-$30 per person, per way.
Read more: Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port?
If you want to travel to the French side of the island, you might want to visit Orient Beach, which is often referred to as the "Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean."
Like Maho Beach, you are better off taking a cab to maximize your time on the beach. Since it is on the French side, you will need to allot yourself about forty minutes to get back to the ship, and I would suggest aiming to arrive thirty minutes before all aboard. Note that one side of the beach clothing is optional.
Great Bay Beach is located on the opposite side of the bay as the cruise ship terminal, and it is a good option for those who want to stay close by. You can get a roundtrip ferry ticket for less than $10, and you will find plenty of vendors renting chairs and umbrellas once you arrive. Usually, you can secure two chairs and an umbrella for around $30. There are numerous restaurants and bars lining the beach, too, meaning that you will not have to wander far when hunger strikes.
Surfers will want to head over to Mullet Bay. The northern winds make it one of the best spots on the island to catch some waves. It is also a good option for travelers who want a calmer beach day, as it is usually less crowded than other beaches on the island.
Da Waterhole is a restaurant and bar that also rents chairs and umbrellas. If you cannot decide what to order, the ribs are a favorite among guests. Mullet Bay is a little bit further west than Maho Beach, but it is still located on the Dutch side.
Zip lining
(Pictured above is the author at Pelican Peak in January 2023)
During my last visit to St. Maarten, I opted to zip line from Pelican Peak. I paid about $70 through Royal Caribbean for this excursion, and the views from the top of the peak alone made it worth the price! It also included transportation to and from the cruise port; however, I opted to walk back on my own rather than wait for the next shuttle, and it only took me about ten minutes!
The zip line is 500 feet above sea level and is 1,800 feet long! To make the most of your time on the island, I would recommend booking a tour through your cruise line for this. While it might not be much cheaper than purchasing a ticket directly through the operator, it will include transportation from the ship. I would also go as early as you can and pair it with another activity, as the entire tour took around one hour, including less than two minutes of flight time.
If I could redo my day in St. Maarten, I would have booked an early excursion time and headed straight to the beach afterwards, as Great Bay Beach is located less than a twenty minute walk from the zip line base.
ATV and jeep tours
Jeep and ATV tours are also pretty popular among older cruise guests (i.e., not those with young children). They are a great way to see more of the island without sitting on a cramped coach. Plus, many tours will include time on the beach.
Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, offers a tour that takes a guests on a scenic tour of St. Maarten to Sunset Beach, where you will be greeted with a welcome drink and free-time to spend on the beach. Pricing starts at $89.99 per person.
Of course, you can always browse third-party vendors to see if there is a tour that you like more!
Read more: 10 tips for getting the best shore excursion values
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is popular in most Caribbean ports of call. The crystal clear waters allow you to see the vibrant marine life better than, for instance, off the coast of North or South Carolina.
Cruise lines offer snorkeling excursions that are often paired with another activity, such as time on the beach. Is sailing on Carnival Cruise Line, you may be interested in the "Ultimate Beach & Snorkel Escape," which starts at $104.99 per adult and $84.99 per child. During this 3.5 hour tour, you will be taken via high speed boat to snorkel at Simpson Bay Lagoon before heading to the beach afterwards. Note that this excursion has a minimum age of six-years-old.
Topper's Rhum Distillery
At Topper's Rhum Distillery, you can tour the 6,000 square foot distillery while getting to sample different artisanal flavors. Some reviewers stated that they got to try up to 25 different kinds! During the tour, you will see the bottling process, as well as visit a lab and learn how the different flavors are developed. Plus, they have a restaurant on-site to make planning lunch a breeze before returning to the ship.
Topper's Rhum Distillery is an award winning distillery that won USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Best Caribbean Rum Distillery for multiple years in a row.
Tours cost $25 per adult and $12.50 per child between the ages of 12 and 17, and the distillery can be reached in about twenty-five minutes via taxi. Afterwards, there are a couple beaches close by, including Kim Sha Beach and Simpson Bay Beach.
Pinel Island
Pinel Island is for those looking for the most serene island getaway. The island is located off the eastern coast of the French side of the island, so getting here will take a little bit of planning. First, you will have to catch a cab to the ferry terminal, which is roughly thirty minutes away.
The ferry departs every thirty minutes and costs $12. In total, the ride to this uninhabited takes roughly five minutes. Once you get there, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas from local restaurants; however, you may want to consider making reservations to secure your spot, as seating is relatively limited.
There are also hiking opportunities that offer great views of the surrounding scenery. You may want to begin your day walking around the island and heading to the beach in the afternoon to cool down in the ocean!
Grand Case
Grand Case is an old fishing village on the French side of the island that is well-known for its authenticity and cuisine. It is located about thirty minutes away from the cruise ship pier.
When tourism on the island started to boom, the Creole houses on the main street were converted into restaurants, stores, art galleries, and boutique hotels. You will also find a beach with calm waters, making it a great kid-friendly option. Plus, many of the dining options are located right on the water, so you do not have to sacrifice delicious food for breathtaking ocean views.
Museums
Star Wars fans rejoice! Located in the heart of Philipsburg is the Yoda Guy Museum Exhibit, a non-profit museum started by Nick Maley. Maley is a special effects make-up artist known for his work on Yoda in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, among other projects.
The museum has been described as "the most unique enterprise in the Caribbean" and its collection is more than just Star Wars memorabilia. You can get a glimpse into the other work he has done, too.
Due to the small staff, hours can vary. The website states that the museum is usually open on Mondays from 10:30am to 4:00pm, Tuesdays - Fridays from 9:15am to 5:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:30am - 4:00pm. Sometimes, the museum will open on Sundays if there is a cruise ship in port. Admission is $15 per person.
There is also the Sint Maarten Museum that is also located in Philipsburg close to the Yoda Guy Museum Exhibit. It focuses on the history of the island includes artifacts from the Arawak settlement. You will also be able to learn about Dutch colonialism. Downstairs, there is a store that sells local Caribbean crafts. While admission is free, donations are accepted.
Since both of these museums are located near Front Street, you can browse the duty-free stores afterwards or relax on Great Bay Beach.
Loterie Farm
Loterie Farm is a nature sanctuary that features hiking trails, zip lines, a pool, and restaurant. Their mission is to protect 135 acres of land that is set in the interior of the island. While you won't get any ocean views here, you will be able to admire the beautiful countryside.
Admission depends on what you would like to do. A self-guided hike, for instance, costs about $11, while zip lining through the forest's canopy will run you about $44 per person.
If you work up an appetite, you can sit down for a meal at Jungle Room. Here, you will find options like hummus ($10), crab and spinach fondue ($16), Cajun Mahi Mahi salad ($18), Angus beef burger ($17), Thai green curry coconut shrimp ($25), Creole Mahi Mahi with rice and vegetables ($21), and a couple different desserts ranging from $4 to $17. If you are traveling with kids, they may choose from a burger or chicken tenders and fries for $10.
Food tour
While Grand Case is known for their cuisine, you may want to consider booking a food tour that takes you to restaurants on both the French and Dutch sides while also learning about the rich history of the island. You may get more out of that experience than a self-guided experience.
Sint Maarten Food Tours offers a four-hour "culinary road trip" for $200 per adult and $190 per child. It has been voted the #1 food tour in Philipsburg. You will visit up to tour different restaurants, and they list Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store, Sky’s the Limit, El Zafiro, Carousel Gelaterio, La Sucriere, La Plantation, Gutside Bar and Restaurant, and Yellow Sub all as possible options.
You can also arrange a private tour if you have a large group. Note that the tour's itinerary is the same as the culinary road trip; however it is limited to just you and your travel party.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
